barrywhitlow.com

I have a hate-love relationship with flying.

The hate part comes from the fact that I don’t like heights so much. I get freaked out just being on top of a ladder, and as I’ve gotten older it has not gotten any better.

But I love flying too. So much so that a kazillion years ago I signed up to take flight lessons, took two, promptly ran out of money, started a family, and well the rest is non-history. I’m still an airplane nut, so much so that when I hear an airplane overhead I stop what I’m doing and look up.  And when we lived in Colorado I would drive to a local corporate jetport to have lunch in the grass while watching the planes. To me those corporate jets represented vision and they were filled with people changing the world.

That’s why I was excited when my new friend Randy Harmon asked me to go fly.  Randy’s growing company Harmony Air Charter in Nashville helps walk people through the process of learning to fly, and if they choose all the way through to purchasing an airplane.  As a Certified Flight Instructor Randy is a teacher at his core. Because he is a teacher Randy did not just take me for an airplane ride, he also gave me a hands-on flying lesson. He took the time to walk me around the airplane during his pre-flight checks, and he talked me through every aspect of the flight. It was not just an airplane ride, it was an experience.

That flying experience also taught me FIVE CHURCH PLANTING LESSONS FROM FLYING:

1. Learn first-then apply: When you fly an airplane its real important that you learn to fly before you take off on your first solo flight.  That would seem to go without saying, but just as sure as sugar tastes sweet the only thing that’s keeping some hot-shot pilot wannabes from taking off before they know how to fly is -the law. Likewise, when you plant a church it’s important to learn first, then apply. As a church planter I’m charged with learning what it takes to plant a church. To be sure I’ve had some lack of learning misfires, and the journey to plant Studio Church has at times been one step forward and two steps back. I make no assumptions about having arrived, and am committed to continual learning.

2. Teach always: Church planters (and flight instructors) are leaders and leaders are by default -teachers. On my flight Randy was constantly teaching. He engaged me, and took me along on his adventure. He made no move without carefully explaining what and why he was doing it. True leaders share what they learn. If you are not committed to teaching don’t attempt to plant a church or to teach someone to fly.

3. Commit fully: One of the things that Randy taught me was that the takeoff is the most critical and the most dangerous part of the flight. When you take off you must push the throttle forward and commit -fully. Church planting takes a full commitment too. It’s not a part-time gig. You must commit fully.

“Flying With Randy” from Studio Church on Vimeo

4. Enjoy the view.  There comes a time to throttle back, relax, and enjoy the view. Randy leveled our flight off at 2000 ft. The view of the Cumberland River was incredible, and the blooming Bradford Pear trees from the air were gorgeous. Church planting is a long push in the same direction. It’s not a 5 day/40 hour a week job. It’s a “I’m willing to bust my butt 7 days a week/24 hours a day/and do whatever it takes” job. But at the same time it’s vital to remember you’re in a marathon not a sprint. To last in a marathon you must pace yourself and schedule times to chill and enjoy the view.

5. Know when to land. Whether flying or church planting, it’s important to know when to make a decision to quit. As church planters, our landing moments come when we make a strategic decision to cut our loses and regroup. Outreach ideas and strategies should be flexible and not set in concrete. If they don’t work it’s okay to land so you can refuel and prepare to launch again.

On Sunday afternoon while traveling in a car to a family members house my family was literally inches from heaven. But there is a twist.

As we were traveling down a four lane city road in Nashville little did we know that there was an SUV traveling at a high rate of speed coming up behind us. I was in my normal mode of fun dialog with my wife and four kids and we were enjoying our leisurely drive to a family members house.

Out of the blue without warning the SUV went out of control just behind us, passed us on the left, crossed two lanes of oncoming traffic, split a very large telephone pole, flipped up into the air, and crashed onto its roof next to a building. All of the wires on the telephone pole came crashing down right in front of us. The good news is no other cars were hit and we believe the young driver and his passenger will live.

But here’s the twist. Unknowing to us other members of our family were traveling in another car in the opposite direction at the exact same moment in the exact same place. Amazingly, when the out of control SUV crossed through the lanes of oncoming traffic, it just missed slamming into their car by inches!

When we are inches from heaven our perspective changes. The important things in life come clearly into focus. As we continued our drive to our families house, my view in the rear-view mirror changed. I no longer saw just my family, I saw people I adore. People that I have the honor of hanging out with on this earth – for just a while.

I praise God for my inches from heaven experience. It  changed my view here on earth.

Question: What are some of the times in your life when you felt God was protecting you?